Theory of some nano-electro-mechanical systems

In this paper we consider two simple models of nano-mechanical (NMS) and nano-electro-mechanical (NEMS) systems, quantum gears and the quantum shuttle, which serve as model systems for a wide range of other nano-devices. We show that there is potential for observing effects on the quantum aspects of the mechanical motion as well as the electronic. We also note that a full understanding of such devices requires a better description of the dissipation of the mechanical energy as well as of the effects of quantum statistics on the scattering processes.